Chronic neck pain

[Just_breathe_1]

I’ve had severe neck pain for a few years now, and nothing is working. I’ve had my entire neck, spine and head looked at - MRI, x-ray, specialists, Physio. I’ve seen everyone and no one can figure it out.

I’m not looking for a diagnosis (as all the specialists I have seen have failed already to provide one), but if anyone has any tips/tricks for reducing the pain that would be much appreciated. Not on any medication for it, and work out at the gym regularly - have a personal trainer, so I am doing the exercises right but nothing is working. Saw a chiropractor once and am not going back - I don’t trust them clicking my neck!

Thanks in advance!

Update: given some new stretches that aren’t doing much. Found that mindfulness helped. Not on any medications for it, and only 22, so still searching for the root cause.

[Madlegs1]

You are right to not let anyone twist or adjust your neck. Too many horror stories.

Can only offer hot pads and plenty of nsaids- ibuprofen - if the kidneys will allow.

Gentle massage should be ok.

There are massage / shiatsu cushions out there- not expensive and worth trying

Good luck.

[Blackwitch]

See if there’s a Bowen Technique therapist near you. I must admit to being very sceptical but I had a headache for about a year which disappeared after one session. Good luck. I hope you find some relief soon.

[Hzhr7]

I've had severe neck pain since my early 30's am now 67 & tried just about everything from physio , to pain meds to exercise . The only thing that has finally given me some relief is steroid & pain relief injections . These last about 6mths if I'm lucky , 3 if I'm not . The pain clinic I attend has an excellent consultant who works with me , not against me . The other thing that used to help when I was younger was my Tens machine , used it for hours on end . I also found that gentle swimming, in warm water, changing stroke regularly helped too. I hope you do find some relief as I know how hard it is struggling through debilitating pain, trying exercises that don't work xx

[Blackwitch in reply to Hzhr7]

We had a hydrotherapy pool quite close but it sprung a leak and was closed down. I think all pools should have facilities for disabled people but money comes first ….

[cyberbarn]

Just a thought, you say you are doing the exercises right, but maybe they are the wrong ones? I had pain over my SI join and down my leg. Physio and every trainer online said do bridges. I did them for 7 months and noting got better, if anything it was worse. So I stopped. And yep, the pain went away!

You might find that an osteopath might be a better bet, as they are much more gentle. Mine kept my neck pain at bay for years.

[ZKJ69]

Hopefully the mri will show something. Physio can help, especially if there is a nerve being pressured somewhere, stretches help to reduce this.All pathways to specialists, including pain specialists start at physio so it's worth trying.

Have you seen spinal ?

[Just_breathe_1 in reply to ZKJ69]

Yes. MRI was clear as well.

[PainConcernProjects Partner Community Champion Pain Concern]

Hello Just_breathe_1

I'm sorry you are struggling with neck pain and I can certainly understand why not having a diagnosis despite seeing various health care professionals can be frustrating. I noticed you mentioned you were after tips on reducing pain levels and wonder if the following would be useful for you 1) Our 'manage your pain' leaflet painconcern.org.uk/product/... 2) Pain Concern's online Pain Education Sessions eventbrite.co.uk/o/pain-con... 3) Asking for a referral to a pain clinic, if you haven't already been seen there

I hope that you are able to find something that helps reduce your pain.

- Pain Concern UK